Mass transfer intensification mechanism of Al2O3 sphere packing in a rotating packed bed

In this work, the gas-liquid mass transfer performance of rotating packed bed (RPB) with Al2O3 sphere packing, in term of volumetric liquid-side mass transfer coefficient (k(L)a(e)), was investigated by CO2-NaOH chemical absorption system. The adsorption performance of Al2O3 spheres was also evaluated by an ink adsorption method. Results showed that the k(L)a(e) values of RPB with Al2O3 sphere packing were higher than those of RPB with nonporous sphere packing, and over one magnitude order higher than those of trickle bed reactor (TBR) with Al2O3 sphere packing. The ink adsorption, film diffusion and pore diffusion rates of Al2O3 spheres have been greatly improved under the high gravity field, and it has been found that the surface tension was the main driving force of ink adsorption. Moreover, the adsorption kinetics was investigated and the experimental data fitted well with the pseudo-first-order adsorption kinetics model.

Automated summary

In this study, the gas-liquid mass transfer performance of rotating packed bed (RPB) with Al2O3 sphere packing was investigated using CO2-NaOH chemical absorption system. Results showed that the Al2O3 sphere packing in RPB significantly improved adsorption kinetics and mass transfer rates under high gravity field conditions. The experimental data also fitted well with the pseudo-first-order adsorption kinetics model.